69 police officers injured in clashes with leftist rioters in eastern German city of Leipzig

In this Dec. 12, 2015 picture German police cross a street as they secure the area during clashes with left-wing protesters in Leipzig, Germany, The riots Saturday evening were triggered by hundreds of left-wing activists who were demonstrating against a rally by far-right protesters in the eastern German city of Leipzig earlier in the day. (Jan Woitas/dpa via AP)
(The Associated Press)

In this Dec. 12, 2015 picture a policeman crosses a street after clashes with left-wing protesters in Leipzig, Germany. The riots Saturday evening were triggered by hundreds of left-wing activists who were demonstrating against a rally by far-right protesters in the eastern German city of Leipzig earlier in the day. (Sebastian Willnow/dpa via AP)
(The Associated Press)

BERLIN – Leipzig police say 69 officers have been injured in clashes with rioting leftwing protesters and that they had to use tear gas and water cannons to disperse the group.

Some 50 police cars were also damaged in the riots Saturday evening, which started after hundreds of leftwing activists demonstrated against a rally by far-right protesters in the eastern German city of Leipzig earlier in the day.

Police said Sunday they temporarily detained 23 people after the leftist rioters threw stones at police, erected street blocks and burned down garbage cans. The protesters also demolished store front windows and two bus stops.

It was not immediately clear how many protesters were injured in the clashes.